Torpedo launching tube door



Aug. 6, 1968 E. R. KEENAN TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE DOOR 5 SheetsSheet 1 Filed June 23, 1967 INVENTOR Edward R. Keenan ATTOR Aug. 6, 1968 E. R. KEENAN 3,395,669

TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE DOOR Filed June 23, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Edward R. Keenan Q kv NM NM. .H I I 1 7// I I b a ,1 wove P: I Kw In Ml omo Wm. B mm m m Em n m R n 5 Y. mw QM, X x H wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo W H \w d I. r lt m R h moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo w m R vv m Q \v k\ w. mv Mk flwwmn R 41%,!

6, 1968 E. R. KEENAN 3,395,669

TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE DOOR Filed June 23, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Edward R. Keenan BY O- ATTOR Aug. 6, 1968 E. R. KEENAN TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE DOOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 23, 1967 mvmon Edward R. Keenan ATTO EY United States Patent O 3,395,669 TORPEDO LAUNCHING TUBE DOOR Edward R. Keenan, Newport, R.I., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed June 23, 1967, Ser. No. 649,429 8 Claims. (Cl. 114-238) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modified door structure for use with surface vessel type shipboard torpedo launching tubes incorporating facilities for passing a wire for a wire guided torpedo through the door for control of the torpedo following launching. Also included is a portable housing assembly for a reel of guidance wire to be paid off with the torpedo adapted for mounting externally of the torpedo launching tube door and a telescopic portion of a feed tube for the wire whereby a mating of the terminal end of the wire portion assembled within the torpedo and the terminal end of the wire portion extending from the reel in the container external to the door may be accomplished after the loading of the torpedo into the torpedo tube and the latching of the door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to torpedo launching apparatus and more particularly to a modification of a launching tube for surface ship launching of torpedoes. The inventive concept is specifically directed to adaptations and modifications of the door structure of preexisting torpedo tubes of the character disclosed in US. Patent 3, 106,905 which patent issued to John T. Gondek on Oct. 15, 1963 for increasing the versatility thereof.

The torpedo tube of the aforementioned patent as utilized for naval service applications has heretofore been limited to the launching of conventional torpedoes with nominal diameters of 19 and 21 inches. The torpedo tube improvement of the instant invention facilitates handling of the aforementioned torpedoes, as well as torpedoes of the wire guided type having a 19 inch diameter. The torpedo tube includes modifications as disclosed in copending application of Edward R. Betzold for Improvements in Surface Launching Torpedo Tubes, Ser. No. 648,548, filed June 22, 1967. The copending application discloses mechanisms whereby the torpedo tube is adapted to receive and clamp in position torpedoes of both diameters within the torpedo tube.

The torpedo tube of the aforementioned Gondek patent is adapted for surface launching of conventional non-wire guided type torpedoes. The development of wire guided torpedoes as launched from submarine carried torpedo launchers indicated a desirability to provide a shipboard capability for launching wire guided torpedoes from surface vessel below deck launching tubes. Submarine torpedo tubes are flooded with water prior to launching. The water in the tube acts to cushion the shock of the impulse blast during launching and thereby protects the guidance wire from damage while being fed through the tube breech. In surface vessel shipboard torpedo tubes there is no flooding and the impulse blast will break and tangle an unprotected wire which is aft of the torpedo. The incorporation of facilities for firing wire guide torpedoes from a surface vessel launching tube has dictated the necessity for feedthrough of a guidance wire from a point external to the torpedo launcher to the aft end of a tor- 3,395,669 Patented Aug. 6, 1968 'ice pedo as disposed within the torpedo tube. Mechanisms of the character required to accomplish the aforementioned purpose are nonexistent in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to novel structural modifications and mechanisms of the nature adapted to provide connections for a guidance wire, between a torpedo when located within the launching tube prior to firing and an external wire feeding mechanism, by virtue of which, command intelligence signals for the torpedo can be transmitted through the wire for torpedo guidance along the path of travel thereof from the launching vessel to the target. The incorporation of the instrumentalities for feeding a guidance wire through the closed door of a torpedo tube, for providing connection between a wire extending from a torpedo and a wire extending from a wire dispenser housing, together with provisions lfOI feeding signal intelligence to the wire during launching and subsequent torpedo travel provides an improved torpedo launching tu'be capability for surface vessels. The wire dispenser housing of the instant invention is adapted for attachment and removal from a position adjacent to the rear of the torpedo tube thereby to provide wire feeding during the launching phase of operation of the torpedo tube launcher.

It is a feature of the instant invention to provide improvements in facilities for launching wire guided torpedoes from the launching tube of a surface ship of a character wherein the launching tube is normally adapted for launching of conventional non-wire guided torpedoes.

One object of the instant invention resides in the provision of improvements in techniques for establishing and continuously maintaining control communication between a torpedo and a guidance system therefor wherein a guidance wire portion is disposed within a torpedo and a wire coil portion is disposed externally of the launching tube from which the torpedo is launched initially separated and subsequently joined prior to launching payout of the guidance wire thereby facilitating an improved capability for surface vessel torpedo launching tubes.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of capabilities for launching both conventional torpedoes and wire-guided torpedoes from the same launching tube with a minimum of additional mechanisms and wherein the additional mechanisms so incorporated for wire handling may be removed from the path of the torpedo as it passes into a launching tube during launching tube loading.

Another object resides in the provision of an improved portable facility for handling guidance wire for a wire guided torpedo during launching and target run flight of an underwater torpedo, wherein additional capabilities are provided for a torpedo launching tube normally intended for use with conventional torpedoes, and without adversely affecting the performance characteristics of the launching tube when utilized for either a conventional torpedo or a wire guided torpedo.

Still another object resides in the provision of a wire guide for a torpedo tube breech door to protect a quidance wire passing through the closed door from the impulse blast which occurs during launching of the torpedo.

Another still further object resides in the provision of a wire guide for a torpedo tube breech door which will function in such a manner as to remain in contact with the wire coil payout tube on the aft end of the torpedo during the turbulent period of the impulse blast.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is fragmentary pictorial view of the aft portion of a torpedo launching tube showing generally the location of the modifications to the torpedo launching tube muzzle door of the instant invention and the operative relationship of the wire guidance housing mechanism relative thereto;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view with parts thereof broken away and in section of a torpedo guidance wire handling mechanism of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view in elevation of the wire reel handling mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the wire handling mechanism;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views in vertical section of the latch mechanisms utilized for releasably retaining the wire housing relative to the deck of a vessel; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view in elevation of the wire guide of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT cated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The torpedo tube struc- 1 ture is generally of the character disclosed in the John T. Gondek patent supra. The breech door 11 of the launching tube is provided with a wire guide 76, FIG. 7, through which a guidance wire may be passed to a location external therefrom. The first end of the wire passes from a coil in the interior of the torpedo through the torpedo payout tube and rearwardly through the wire guided in the breech door. A second portion of the wire, as indicated at 12, is carried on a reel 13, FIG. 3, for payout during torpedo launching and torpedo flight to the target for communicating guidance intelligence to the torpedo. The signal intelligence fed through the wire is fed as an input through control connections in a control box indicated generally at 14, FIG. 4, which is connected by external cable to the other end of the wire 12 in reel 13 and which end remains fixed within the housing 16 after torpedo launching. The details of the connection between the housing 16 and the reel 13 are shown generally in FIG. 3. The cable connector devices are not shown in detail as these form no part of the instant invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the instant invention relates that any of a variety of types of commercially available cable connectors could be used for the instant purposes.

The wire 12 as initially packaged in spool form includes a pair of end spacers 17 and an external flanged cylinder 18, the wire being layed up internally of the cylinder by being initially wound on a removable sleeve carried by a winding mandrel which is extracted after winding and assembly of cylinder 18 to end plates 17. The individual coils of wire are adhesively bonded by a rubber cement or the like, thereby facilitating retention during handling of the wire spool as well as further facilitating payout from the interior of the spool during torpedo launching and flight. A conduit member 19 facilitates payout of the wire from the housing 16 to the wire guide 76. The end of conduit 19 is connected to the wire guide by a bayonet connection 70, FIG. 4, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The conduit 19 which extends between the wire guides 76 and the housing 16 further incorporates a wire cutoff mechanism 20 for shearing the guidance wire after torpedo engagement with the target. Thus the wire may be cut to facilitate removal of the empty core and for insertion of a new spool of wire for use with the next torpedo to be launched from the system.

The adapter structures indicated generally at 22, FIG. 3, includes a cable end connector 23 for the cable 15 of the typical male type and a female panel type connector at 24 for connection of the terminal end of the wire 15 to the housing 16. An additional male and female connector assembly at 26 includes a separable member 27 which is carried by the end of the wire 12 which is not payed out.

The forward end of the housing 16 adjacent the wire cutoff mechanism 20 includes a funnel-shaped member 28 which facilitates payout of the wire from the core to the conduit 19.

The rear portion 29 of the housing 16 incorporates a spring loaded mechanism 30 for centering and retaining the coil or spool 13 of wire 12 within the housing during storage and transportation thereof. The front door 31 of housing 16 is opened by releasing a spring loaded latch 32, rotating the door relative to bayonet type retainers (not shown) to permit removal of the door 31 for reception of the coil 13 of wire. Before the coil is loaded in the housing 16, a screw portion 43 of the spring-loaded coil restraining mechanism 30 is rotated by inserting an Allen-type wrench, or the like, at 39 into a hex socket. This action withdraws a centering spindle 33, thus compressing a spring 44. The spool or coil 13 seats on the centering spindle 33 and is further mated to a seat 34 along the periperal portion of the cylinder 18 at the flange 35 thereof. The two tapered portions 36 and 37 of spindle 33 facilitate initial centering of the wire core portion of spool 13. After the wire spool 13 has been inserted into the housing, and the front door 31 closed and relatched by latch 32 spool 13 is further positioned by positioning blocks 38 and by rotating the screw portion 43 to actuate detent mechanism 41 which normally seats in hole 42 to provide for movement of the screw portion 43 to release the centering spindle 33 and the spring pressure to push the centering spindle against the coil thereby holding the coil hard against the positioning blocks 38 on the door.

The housing assembly is provided with a plurality of fiat base members or feet 45 which are provided with a tapered bore for mating engagement with the tapered pins 46 carried by a similar plurality of releasable foot support mechanisms 47 which are permanently attached to the deck of the ship at 48. As more clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of mechanisms 47 include clamp members 49 to engage and latch the feet 45 of the housing 16 and a toggle type linkage mechanism 50 which is actuated by .a foot lever 51 carried on a shaft 52. The shaft is fixed as by pins 53 to a pair of dual ended camming members 54 which are configured at 55 in the nature of a pair of opposed yokes for reception of the eyeboltlike ends 56 of the actuating shafts 57 by virtue of pins 58. The opposite ends of the shafts 57 are provided with elements 59 configured to provide .a pivotal yoke like joint or connection at 60 with the actuating end of the lever at 61 for thelatch 49. The latches are pivotally mounted by hinge pins 62 for rotation about the center of the pin as the actuating shafts 57 acting through the links at 56 and 59 move the actuating end 61 of these levers to the camming of the latch members 49. This is accomplished by camming members 54 which are shifted with actuation of the foot pedal 51. It will be apparent that a coil spring 63 on shaft member 64 which is disposed on a telescopic locking link mechanism 65 is constrained by a pair of eye bolt-like connections 66 and 67 at the opposite ends thereof to effect a latch action on the mechanism 47 in engagement with the feet 45 of the reel housing. Upon depression of foot pedal 51, spring 63 is compressed as the latches are opened to permit removal of housing 16 from the deck. It is to be understood that the particular latching mechanism shown is by nature of example and that the invention is not considered to be limited to the particular latching mechanism utilized for releasable retention of the reel housing relative to the deck of the ship.

As shown in FIG. 7, the wire guide structure 76, includes an outer sleeve 78 slidingly received in the breach door 11 and an inner sleeve 79 telescopically slideable within the outer sleeve. A flanged sleeve 80 is mounted in the breech door opening 81 'by means of four mounting bolts (not shown), and the outer sleeve 78 is positioned within the flanged sleeve 80 in such a manner as to permit rotational and longitudinal movement of the outer sleeve. A sleeve stop 82 seats in a cutout portion 83 on the outer sleeve 78 to abut with a flanged sleeve end 84 thus preventing complete withdrawal of the outer sleeve. A spring retainer sleeve 85, fixedly secured to outer sleeve 78 by a retainer 88, is positioned between the outer sleeve 78 and inner sleeve 79 to hold a coil spring 86 in place. The telescopically-slideable inner sleeve 79 has a stop member 89 integral therewith for engagement with coil spring 86 and an outer sleeve abutment 90. A bayonet connection 91 is provided on the inner surface of flanged sleeve 80 to engage with bayonet pin 92 for locking the wire guide against the breech door when the splice is made to connect the end of the wire coil in the housing 16 with the end of the coil in the torpedo. A light trap 93 is spring biased at 94 to cover the wire guide adapter opening to prevent light escaping from the torpedo room when the wire guide is not in use. The coil spring 86 biases the telescopic inner sleeve 79 into contact with the wire payout tube (not shown) of the torpedo. The inner sleeve 79 is of suflicient length to insure that end 95 will always be in contact with the torpedo wire payout tube when the breech door is closed. In this manner that portion of the wire which is within the torpedo tube is fully protected from the impulse blast. The wire guide and torpedo wire payout tube do not separate until after the turbulent period of the impulse blast, i.e., torpedo has started to move forward.

When it is desired to load a torpedo into the torpedo tube, the foot pedal 51 is depressed and the reel housing is disengaged at the feet 45 thereof for lifting as by the handles 68 provided at the top corners of the housing 16. The conduit member 19 having been previously disengaged from the wire guide 76 in the breech door by virtue of the bayonet connection 70, FIG. 4, the breech door is then opened and the torpedo loaded into the torpedo tube. Thereafter the torpedo tube breech door 11 is closed and a loaded wire housing mechanism 16 is positioned and latched to the ship deck for the next launching operation. The torpedo carried wire portion is extended through the wire guide 76 in the torpedo door 11 prior to door closure. The two wire ends are coupled, the wire guide is rotated to release bayonet pin 92 from bayonet connection 91, and the wire guide is pulled out into contact with conduit 19. The conduit 19 is coupled to the wire guide 76 by rotating the wire guide bayonet pin 77 in bayonet connection 70, and the wire is fed out during launching.

At the completion of the target run the wire cutter mechanism is actuated to sever the torpedo carried wire portion from the housing carried wire portion.

The details of the wire cutter 20 form no part of the instant invention. The structure shown is by way of example, and includes a hand knob 71 carried by a spring loaded shaft 72. As the handle is raised, the spring 73 is compressed in a manner to store energy to effect the return of the cutter. The cutter head at 74 is pulled against the wire and the anvil portion at 75 provided at the housing door end of the conduit 19. The cutter head 74 thus moving into engagement with the wire, and severing it as it strikes the anvil portion 75.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the sight of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

-1. In combination with a torpedo launching tube of the character disclosed for launching a wire guided missile,

a lbreech door structure incorporating wire guide means adapted for passage of a guidance wire for said missile from a position external of said launching tube to the interior of said launching tube,

a wire reel housing mechanism having conduit means connectable to said wire guide means for said breech door structure, and

means for releasably mounting said wire reel housing at a location adjacent said breech door structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by the inclusion in said wire guide means of means providing a sleeve section movable between an open position for flacil'itating the connection therein of one end of a portion of the guidance wire, as normally carried by a wire guided missile with another end of a portion of the guidance wire normally contained by said wire reel housing, and said sleeve section being movable to a closed position for guiding wire therethrough firom said reel housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wire guide means inconporates a telescopic sleeve portion,

means biasing said telescopic sleeve portion to extend internally of said breech door,

means mounting said wire guide means in said breeoh door for rotational and longitudinal movement, and

a lSfiCODJd sleeve portion concentric with said telescopic sleeve portion movable to a position extending externally of said breech door to facilitate connection with said conduit means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized by the inclusion in said means for mounting the wire housing mechanism to said ship of a releasable latch mechanism,

said latch mechanism incorporating a foot pedal actuator,

a plurality of linkage members, a plurality of latch members adapted to be carried by the ship deck,

members positioned on 'said wire housing mechanism, for mating engagement with said latch members as carried by the ship deck, said last mentioned members being adapted to accurately position said wire housing mechanism relative to the launching tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized by the inclusion in said means for mounting the wire housing mechanism to said ship of a releasable latch mechanism,

said latch mechanism incorporating a foot pedal actuator,

a plurality of linkage members, a plurality of latch members adapted to be carried by the ship deck,

members positioned on said wire housing mechanism for mating engagement with said latch members as carried by the ship deck, said last mentioned members being adapted to accurately position said wire housing mechanism relative to the launching tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by inclusion in said means for mounting the wire hou'sing mechanism to said ship of a releasable latch mechanism,

said latch mechanism incorporating a foot pedal actuator,

a plurality of linkage members, a plurality of latch members adapted to be carried by the ship deck, and

members positioned on said wire housing mechanism for mating engagement with said latch members as carried by the ship deck, said last mentioned members being adapted to accurately position said wire housing mechanism relative to the launching tube.

7. In combination with a torpedo tube breech door having a portion defining an aperture therein,

wire guide means adapted for passage of a guidance wire for a torpedo from a position external of said torpedo tube breech door to the interior of said torpedo tube breech door,

means for mounting said wire guide means in said aperture,

a telescopic sleeve portion incorporated in said wire guide means and means biasing said telescopic sleeve portion to extend internally of said breech door. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said Wire guide is mounted for rotational movement within said aperture and longitudinal movement along the axis of said aperture, and

a second sleeve portion concentric with said telescopic sleeve portion movable to a position extending externally of said breech door.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,106,905 10/1963 Gondek 114-238 3,286,947 11/1966 Erickson 242128 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

10 T. M. BLDi, Assistant Examiner. 

